In its third quarter 2022 results, Philips states that it has initiated general productivity actions, including simplifying the organization to streamline the way of working and reduce operating expenses. This includes an immediate reduction of around 4,000 positions globally across the organization, subject to consultation with the relevant workers councils and social partners, with severance and termination-related costs expected to be approximately EUR 300 million in the coming quarters. The associated cost savings are expected to amount to annualized savings of approximately EUR 300 million. Philips will continue to review areas to further improve its supply operations, invest in quality, simplify the way of working and remove organizational complexity, which is expected to result in additional restructuring and associated costs in 2023.

Additionally, Philips is urgently implementing several actions to enhance performance and productivity in the supply chain (eg, dual sourcing, supplier consolidation, warehouse footprint rationalization), R&D (eg, shifting the focus to fewer, high-impact projects in the innovation pipeline), and quality (eg, enhancing processes, increasing capabilities and product management). In connection with the previously announced initiative to enhance productivity in R&D, Philips recorded a non-cash charge in the third quarter of EUR 168 million.

Philips Respironics continued to make progress with the repair and replacement program and the comprehensive test and research program for the CPAP, BiPAP, and mechanical ventilator devices affected by the June 2021 field safety notice. To date, approximately 4 million replacement devices and repair kits have been produced. Philips Respironics aims to complete around 90% of the production and shipments to customers in 2022.

Following the FDA’s inspection of certain Philips Respironics’ facilities in the US in 2021 and the subsequent inspectional observations, the US Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the FDA, began discussions with Philips in July 2022 regarding the terms of a proposed consent decree to resolve the identified issues.

Due to revisions to the financial forecast of Philips Respironics driven by current assumptions regarding the estimated impact of the proposed consent decree and changes to the pre-tax discount rate, Philips is recording a EUR 1.3 billion non-cash charge in the third quarter for the impairment of goodwill of this business.

As disclosed, Philips Respironics is subject to an investigation by the US Department of Justice, is a defendant in several class-action lawsuits and individual personal injury claims, and is in ongoing discussions with the FDA regarding the proposed consent decree. Given the uncertain nature and timing of the relevant events, and of their potential financial and operational impact and associated obligations, if any, the company has not made any provisions in the accounts for these matters.

Roy Jakobs, new CEO of Royal Philips, says in a release, “I am honored to have been given the responsibility to lead Philips, a great company with a strong brand, leading product portfolio, strong customer base, and talented employees. However, we face multiple challenges and our Q3 2022 performance reflects this. Although Philips’ strategy and solutions resonate with our stakeholders, we have not lived up to their expectations in recent years.

My immediate priority is therefore to improve execution so that we can start rebuilding the trust of patients, consumers, and customers, as well as shareholders and our other stakeholders. We will do this by first further strengthening our patient safety and quality management and addressing the various facets of the Philips Respironics recall; second, by urgently improving our supply chain operations so that we can deliver on our strong order book and improve performance; and third, by simplifying our way of working to improve productivity and increase agility. This includes the difficult, but necessary decision to immediately reduce our workforce by around 4,000 roles globally, which we do not take lightly and will implement with respect towards impacted colleagues. These initial actions are needed to start turning the company around in order to realize Philips’ profitable growth potential and create value for all our stakeholders.

While there is a lot to do in a fast-changing environment, our priorities are clear, and I am fully focused, together with our leadership team, on improving execution. I am committed to open and transparent communications with our stakeholders. We will elaborate further on our plans for Philips at our fourth quarter and annual results publication in January 2023.”

Looking ahead, the company sees prolonged operational and supply challenges, a worsening macro-economic environment and continued uncertainty related to COVID-19 measures in China, which will be partly offset by Philips’ productivity and pricing actions. Consequently, Philips now expects a mid-single-digit comparable sales decline for the fourth quarter of 2022, with a high-single-to-double-digit Adjusted EBITA margin range.